watchOS 26 Is Here: Apple Watch Just Got Smarter, Sleeker, and More Helpful

Apple just pulled back the curtain on watchOS 26, and it’s one of the biggest updates the Apple Watch has seen in years. With a fresh new look called Liquid Glass, smarter AI-powered features, and some thoughtful fitness and messaging improvements, this update is all about making your Apple Watch feel more personal and intuitive. Let’s break it all down.

A Fresh Look: Meet Liquid Glass

The most instantly noticeable upgrade? The new Liquid Glass design language. This sleek visual overhaul brings stunning real-time reflections and refractions to your Apple Watch interface, giving everything from notifications to the Control Center a more fluid, dynamic feel. Even the Photos watch face is getting a glow-up, with time overlays that shimmer and shift using the same Liquid Glass style. It’s not just pretty—it’s immersive.

Say Hello to Your New Workout Buddy

watchOS 26 introduces Workout Buddy, a new AI-driven feature that uses your workout history and real-time performance to talk you through your fitness sessions. Need motivation? It can deliver a personalized pep talk. Hitting your pace goals? It’ll call them out mid-run.

Workout Buddy works during running, walking, cycling, and strength training (for now) and will speak to you through Bluetooth headphones—just make sure your iPhone is nearby and supports Apple Intelligence. It’s basically like having a fitness coach… on your wrist.

A Redesigned Workout App Experience

The Workout app itself also got its biggest design refresh in years. New buttons in all four corners let you quickly jump to features like Workout Views or Custom Workouts. Plus, you can now set your favorite playlists or podcasts to start automatically when you begin a workout—Apple Music will even recommend music based on your history and workout type. No more fumbling with your phone mid-sprint.

Smarter Than Ever: Smart Stack Hints

The Smart Stack—Apple Watch’s contextual widget stack—is getting a brain boost thanks to Smart Stack hints. These proactive nudges can now suggest relevant actions based on where you are or what you're doing. For example, if you're on a trail, it might suggest using Backtrack, or it could surface a Pilates widget when you walk into your gym. It’s a subtle but powerful step toward a more intuitive Apple Watch experience.

Live Translation and Smarter Messaging

Messages on Apple Watch are getting a serious upgrade, too. Thanks to Apple Intelligence, you’ll now get Live Translation of incoming texts right on your wrist. The watch can also suggest smart actions in the middle of a conversation—like starting a Check In or sending money via Apple Cash—making interactions faster and more context-aware.

New Gestures and Smarter Sounds

For Apple Watch Series 9 and newer, there’s a nifty new wrist flick gesture. Just turn your wrist forward and back to dismiss a notification or decline a call. This joins the double tap gesture and gives you more control—literally—at your fingertips.

Plus, your Apple Watch will now adjust speaker volume automatically based on how loud your environment is. No more jumping when a notification hits at full blast in a quiet room.

The Notes App, Call Screening, and More

Apple is finally bringing the Notes app to your wrist, so you can view, create, or edit notes anytime. The Phone app also gains Hold Assist and Call Screening, when your iPhone is nearby.

For those using accessibility features, Live Listen controls now offer real-time captions of what your iPhone hears, all displayed on the watch itself.

What’s In It for Developers?

Developers are getting new tools too. Apple’s opening up access to the Liquid Glass design, allowing third-party apps to adopt the gorgeous new look. They can also create custom Control Center controls and make their widgets smarter and more proactive within the Smart Stack.

When Can You Get It?

The developer beta of watchOS 26 is out today, with a public beta rolling out next month. The final release is set for this fall and will be available as a free update for:

• Apple Watch Series 6 or later

• Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)

• All Apple Watch Ultra models

Keep in mind, features that use Apple Intelligence—like Workout Buddy and Smart Stack hints—will require an iPhone 15 Pro or any iPhone 16 model.

So whether you're into fitness, personalization, or just love a sleek new interface, watchOS 26 is shaping up to be a smart (and stylish) step forward for Apple Watch.